Best Child Friendly Restaurants in Meath

There are times when a quick trip to a fast food joint hits the spot and there are other times and occasions to be marked with a fun family meal out. Here’s our pick of the best child friendly restaurants in Meath.

In our experience buggies are rarely welcome anywhere. Some places will take buggies from you at the door, others will quite simply refuse you entry. So when possible if dining out with a young baby bring the car-seat and with an older baby or toddler you will find high chairs / booster seats in any child friendly eatery. Here’s what we think makes a restaurant child friendly.

Navan Places to Eat

The Cafe in Marks & Spencer’s

The Cafe in Marks & Spencer’s on Paddy O’Brien Street does great kids’ lunches, as well as lots of sweet treats such as buns and cookies.

O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar

Another good bet is O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar on Metges Lane, which offers colouring materials for the kids, as well as a range of snacks and sambos. There is also another O’Brien’s Sandwich Bar branch at Unit 5, Ashbourne Town Centre.

Zucchini’s Restaurant

Also in Navan and well worth a visit is Zucchini’s Restaurant. This family-run and family-friendly establishment has an imaginative children’s menu that includes pasta dishes, curries and pizzas. Baby bowls are also available. “They are so child friendly, so helpful and the food is yummy too”

The Central

The Central is an award-winning gastropub in heart of Navan, with good value and choice on their children’s menu. Baby bowls available free for under 2s and there is a kid’s play area too.

Trim Places to Eat

Franzini O’Briens

If you are in Trim, visit Franzini O’Briens, which is located on French’s Lane, right beside Trim Castle. Franzini’s has an international menu and a lively and fun atmosphere. Children are welcome before 8.30pm.

Kells Places to Eat

Jack’s Railway Bar

Jack’s Railway Bar is a family-run and family-friendly establishment that has high chairs and a varied menu, including plenty of kids’ favourites. There is an outdoor patio area and garden for those rare summer days…

The Vanilla Pod

The Vanilla Pod Restaurant in the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells serves contemporary bistro food. “We support children’s healthy eating initiative as we are all trying to teach our children good eating habits from an early age by feeding them delicious, heathly foods. Here in the Vanilla Pod we encourage curiosity in a variety of foods in a friendly environment.”

Ashbourne and Ratoath

La Bucca

There are three branches of La Bucca in south Meath: Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunboyne. They are fabulous Italian restaurants that feature a children’s menu that offers both great variety and value. La Bucca in Ashbourne also hosts children’s pizza parties, where the birthday child and their guests can learn how to make their very own pizzas!

The Donkey Shed

The Donkey Shed near Ashbourne serves local and seasonal food. “Very reasonable menu for children plus you can visit and feed the animals, not to mention the fab free range eggs and veg in their farm shop!!!”

Cork’s Cafe

Cork’s Cafe in Ashbourne is “excellent for kids. They have colouring books and crayons for the kids and their kids menu is excellent but they will also adapt more or less anything on their menu either! Healthy, nutritious food without a chip in sight and very reasonable too!”

Other recommendations:

“The Snail Box in Ashbourne is defo ideal after a day out in Tayto Park, give colouring for kids to do and 7euro for juice, dinner and a massive ice cream!”

“Monastary Inn Clonard: free baby bowl and the staff were great with the little one”

“The Central in Navan is good though kids lunch menu is a tad expensive (for small kids). They have a play area out the back and give colouring etc.”

Eddie Rockets, McDonalds and Supermacs

If you fancy fast food, then there is plenty of choice available. Navan has a branch of Eddie Rockets, as well as a McDonalds (Trimgate Street) and a Supermacs (Kennedy Road). There is also a branch of McDonalds in Ashbourne Town Centre, Killegland Street, while Trim has a Supermacs outlet on the Navan Road.

This website was created by Jill Holtz and Michelle Davitt, both of whom are mothers of young children. Jill and Michelle decided to create this resource themselves, and launched mykidstime.ie in 2007.